Naim DAC... revisited

Posted by: goldfinch on 08 May 2009

Hi all distributed audio chaps!

Naim DAC might be at the end of the corner and I feel a bit impatient,

Are there any news? could Naim tell us something about its features?

I am particularly interested in:

1. 555ps compatibility: would it be possible to use both output sockets? (as with CD555). This would be very nice since it separates power for analog and digital from the same Burndy.

2. If it is aimed to computer audio enthusiasts, I wonder if it will support asincronous USB or firewire connection. I guess this way performance wouldn't depend on the computer audio device because the only clock that would affect jitter would be the DAC's clock.

3. Finally, I also wonder if it will provide us with a full array of digital input connections for giving greater choice of audio devices. Specially, AES/EBU for pro audio sound cards like those from Lynx studio and RME.

Cheers,

Posted on: 11 May 2009 by pcstockton

quote:
Originally posted by gary1 (US):
There is no way that the pre in the DAC will be as good as a separate Naim pre-amplfier or the pre in a SN etc...

Why is there "no way" this could be the case?

Are you saying that if you remove the SN's amplifier section it makes the Pre and DAC worse?

Posted on: 11 May 2009 by gary1 (US)

of course we'll need to wait and listen.

Point is if you bought a DAC and had a 282/HC/250 for example. Do you think that the pre-amplifier in the DAC would be as good as a 282 or 202 or 252 or 122x or the pre-amp section of a SN.

That's asking the pre in the DAC to do alot. Anything is possible, but...

Posted on: 11 May 2009 by pcstockton

Well yes, if it was a Naim DAC.

Are you making a distinction between a "DAC with Pre", and a "Pre with DAC"?

Still not understanding your point at all.

If Naim took the Supernait and ditched the amps, and called it a "DAC with a pre", wouldn't it equal the SN????

Or if they took the 282 and added an internal DAC, would that not equal the 282?

I totally confused how the presence, or lack thereof, of a DAC influences the quality of the preamp section.

Posted on: 11 May 2009 by Harry H. Wombat

As you move up the NAIM hierarchy components separate into their own boxes so although I am sure a SuperNait sans amps would "equal" the SuperNait I am less convinced that this would be the case as one goes up the chain, for the 282 for example.

Is not the DAC in the 555 in its own little quiet room ... ? That, if true, at least suggests interference to/from a DAC to other co-located components is a concern of NAIM.

Posted on: 11 May 2009 by pcstockton

quote:
Originally posted by Harry H. Wombat:

Is not the DAC in the 555 in its own little quiet room ... ? That, if true, at least suggests interference to/from a DAC to other co-located components is a concern of NAIM.

If having the DAC in the case with other components was an issue in the least, Naim wouldn't be so adamant about keeping the DAC with the transport. Which Naim states is key to a good sound.

Posted on: 11 May 2009 by Harry H. Wombat

quote:
Originally posted by pcstockton:
If having the DAC in the case with other components was an issue in the least, Naim wouldn't be so adamant about keeping the DAC with the transport. Which Naim states is key to a good sound.

Although I don't really know, I would think that it is possible that at that point in time the reduction of jitter (by keeping the signal path close and clean) outweighed any consideration of interference by having components co-located.

Just having looked it up it seems that the 555 DAC is housed in a quiet room - if they were to put one in a high-end pre I would suspect they would at least consider doing the same.

But as I said - I don't really know

Posted on: 11 May 2009 by gary1 (US)

I'm referring to the digital pre-amplifier.

If you look at the Bel Canto DAC III it has a digital pre-amplifier incorporated into the design.

I have demoed this DAC alond with the DAC with a separate pre-amplifier and the music was much better with the separate external pre-amplifier.

Now, with the external pre-am you will bypass the pre in the DAC. Certainly Naim can build both options into the DAC.

All I'm saying that for me this appears to be wasted space and electronics if you are using a separate pre-amplifier. It's great if you don't own a pre-amplifier as you will not need one.

My point is that the separate pre-amplifier (282/202/etc...) will be much better than that built into the DAC.

That's assuming that the pre-amp does more than just volume control, which we all know it does.

Posted on: 11 May 2009 by pcstockton

OK, forget the digital pre-amp.

How about a 282 with a SN or better integral DAC... have a problem with that?

Posted on: 11 May 2009 by winkyincanada

quote:
Originally posted by pcstockton:
OK, forget the digital pre-amp.

How about a 282 with a SN or better integral DAC... have a problem with that?

Now we're talking. I don't see any reason why a DAC would be compromised by bundling with a reference-level pre-amp in the same box. Yes, make sure it is shielded and all that. The elimination of an external analogue interconnect would presumably be an advantage when designing such a set-up. I think the sum could be greater than the parts.

Posted on: 12 May 2009 by Wazza69

It is unlikely, but it could be like the Linn Majik DS. It does volume control and can be plugged directly into a power amp.

Posted on: 13 May 2009 by pylod

quote:
Originally posted by pcstockton:
OK, forget the digital pre-amp.

How about a 282 with a SN or better integral DAC... have a problem with that?

thats it...great. i want one in a 252/dac or a 282/dac...less boxes . tidy . great. they still can offer an separate for those , which never get enough of the black box collection. maybe with a possibility of using 3 xps at the same time ?

please naim wake up and offer us something with an internal dac above the supernait ...without the multiple-boxes-war